Optimizing Access to Same-Day Breast Biopsy: Factors Associated With Same-Day Procedure Scheduling After Program Standardization

Abigail Lin; Derek L Nguyen; Lars J Grimm; Sora C Yoon

doi:10.1016/j.jacr.2026.01.008

Optimizing Access to Same-Day Breast Biopsy: Factors Associated With Same-Day Procedure Scheduling After Program Standardization

J Am Coll Radiol. 2026 May;23(5):793-801. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2026.01.008. Epub 2026 Jan 20.

Authors

Abigail Lin¹, Derek L Nguyen², Lars J Grimm³, Sora C Yoon⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Breast Imaging, Division of Diagnostic Imaging, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
² Associate Program Director of the Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program, Department of Radiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina. Electronic address: derek.nguyen@duke.edu.
³ Department of Radiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina.
⁴ Breast Imaging Fellowship Director, Department of Radiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina.

PMID: 41571139
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacr.2026.01.008

Abstract

Objective: To assess factors associated with offering patients same-day procedures after implementation of a standardized same-day procedure program.

Methods: This quality improvement study reviewed data from all patients at our single-site academic institution who were recommended for a breast procedure from March 20, 2024, to June 3, 2024. Patient and diagnostic examination characteristics and time between diagnostic examination and procedure appointments were recorded. Enacting add-on procedures, defined as the creation of an additional same-day procedure slot through overbooking, was also recorded. Associations between patient sociodemographic characteristics and diagnostic examination characteristics with same-day procedures logistics were evaluated using a nominal logistic model.

Results: Of 315 patients (mean age 53.8 ± 16.4 years), 168 (53%) were offered a same-day biopsy appointment based on procedure availability. Another 35 patients (11%) were offered an add-on procedure; 8 (3%) were for urgent BI-RADS 2 findings (such as abscess). On multivariable analysis, factors associated with increased likelihood of being offered same-day biopsy appointment were morning recommendation time (P < .001) and ultrasound-guided biopsy (P = .027). Time to biopsy was not significantly different across race or ethnicity. On univariable analysis, patients had higher likelihood of being offered an add-on procedure for ultrasound-guided aspirations (P < .001) and fluid collections (seroma or abscess; P < .001), as well as for BI-RADS 5 final assessment (P < .001).

Discussion: Scheduling diagnostic workups should be considered earlier in the day at institutions that offer same-day procedure services, particularly for cases involving highly suspicious lesions, abscesses, or seromas or patients with psychosocial factors that could otherwise delay care.

Keywords: Access disparities; breast imaging; same-day biopsy; same-day procedures.

MeSH terms

Appointments and Schedules*
Breast Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
Breast Neoplasms* / pathology
Female
Health Services Accessibility*
Humans
Image-Guided Biopsy
Middle Aged
Quality Improvement
Retrospective Studies